Nassau Standard

NYS Assemblyman Ari Brown, Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller, and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced plans for a new Veterans Village facility in Nassau County. The press conference took place at the Theodore Roosevelt Legislative & Executive Office Building in Mineola on September 9, 2024.

The Veterans Village will be located on a 15-acre site at 3915 Austin Blvd, Island Park. This land was previously occupied by a motel that had raised concerns within the local community. Nassau County has donated the property for this project, which received approval from both the Open Space Committee and the Planning Commission.

Spearheaded by Bruce Blakeman and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the new facility will replace the old structure with a modern 42-unit apartment complex. It aims to provide more than just housing by offering various on-site support services such as job training, benefits assistance, educational support, financial management, legal advocacy, medical care, mental health support, PTSD counseling, and addiction treatment. The completion of this project is expected in 2025.

Bruce Blakeman expressed his dedication to this initiative due to his parents' World War II service. “This initiative honors my parents’ legacy of service,” he stated. “We are proud to donate this land to create a supportive environment for those who have served our nation.”

Assemblyman Ari Brown highlighted the importance of supporting veterans: “Today’s announcement highlights our commitment to supporting our veterans. Having recently donated a kidney to a Purple Heart veteran, I am particularly moved by this initiative. This new Veterans Village will provide essential services and foster a supportive community for our veterans, reflecting Nassau County’s leadership and dedication.”

The transformation of this site into Veterans Village represents progress for both veterans and the local community.